As Chief of Marketing at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mr. Bhavesh Phopharia has a clear vantage point on one of the most important shifts in Indian healthcare today: the move from imported dependence to indigenous capability. With India’s med-tech market poised for strong growth and the country still sourcing the majority of its high-end devices from overseas, the case for “Make in India” has moved well beyond policy rhetoric. For hospitals, it is now a question of resilience, economics and access as a way to lower costs, improve service continuity and help build a stronger healthcare ecosystem for the long term.
The Indian healthcare sector is currently navigating a definitive transformation. As the nation modernizes its medical infrastructure to meet the demands of a growing population, procurement strategy has emerged as a critical lever for long-term sustainability. While Indian hospitals have historically relied on imports for 70- 80% of their high-end medical technology, the landscape is shifting. Championing the Make in India initiative is no longer merely an act of national pride; it has become a fundamental strategic business necessity for the modern healthcare provider.
Driving Affordability and Accessibility
The most immediate advantage of domestic procurement lies in the drastic reduction of capital expenditure. Imported medical equipment carries a heavy financial burden, including steep customs duties, international freight charges, and the volatility of unpredictable currency fluctuations. By shifting toward indigenous technology, hospitals can eliminate these “invisible costs,” allowing for more efficient capital allocation and improved bottom lines.
These lower acquisition costs translate directly into reduced procedural expenses for patients. In India’s hyper-price-sensitive market, where medical inflation remains a significant hurdle, the ability to provide high-quality care at a lower price point offers a vital competitive edge. Furthermore, domestic manufacturing democratizes healthcare; it ensures that cutting-edge diagnostics are no longer restricted to Tier‑1 metropolitan hubs, making high-quality care accessible to secondary and tertiary centres nationwide.
Equally important, affordability fosters preventive healthcare adoption. When diagnostic tests and imaging become cheaper, patients are more likely to undergo early screenings, reducing the burden of late-stage disease management. Thus, domestic procurement not only lowers costs but also reshapes the overall health-seeking behaviour of the population.
Logistics, Service, and Uptime
In a clinical setting, equipment downtime is more than a technical inconvenience—it can be life-threatening. Imported machinery often suffers from significant service lags. The specialized nature of these tools means that waiting for an overseas spare part can sideline a critical MRI or CT scanner for weeks, disrupting patient care and revenue streams.
“Make in India” manufacturers address this vulnerability through localized supply chains, offering three distinct advantages:
- Maximum Uptime: Proximity ensures rapid repairs and preventative maintenance, keeping life-saving equipment operational.
- Direct Technical Support: Localized presence allows for more frequent and hands-on training for clinicians and biomedical engineers.
- Anatomical Customization: Domestic firms are uniquely positioned to tailor products to the specific anatomical, demographic, and environmental needs of the Indian population, which often differ from those of Western counterparts.
This reliability builds trust among clinicians, who can focus on patient care rather than worrying about equipment failures. It also reassures patients that their treatment will not be delayed due to technical bottlenecks.
Fueling the Innovation Ecosystem
By choosing indigenous brands, Indian hospitals act as a vital “proving ground” for local innovation. This early-stage support helps domestic med-tech firms scale their R&D efforts and compete on a global stage. We are already seeing the fruits of this collaboration with breakthroughs in AI-driven diagnostics, portable imaging, and specialized monitoring systems.
When major hospital chains prioritize local buying, they spark a virtuous cycle. Higher demand drives production volume, which in turn lowers costs through economies of scale. This not only bolsters the national economy but also builds a healthcare ecosystem that is resilient to global supply chain shocks, a lesson learned the hard way during the global pandemic.
Moreover, indigenous innovation nurtures employment opportunities for biomedical engineers, technicians, and researchers. It creates a pipeline of skilled professionals who can sustain the sector’s growth while reducing dependency on foreign expertise.
Quality and Compliance
The persistent myth that “domestic” equates to “lower quality” is rapidly being debunked. Today, leading Indian med-tech manufacturers adhere to international standards such as ISO, CE certification, and USFDA approvals. India’s regulatory frameworks have also tightened significantly, ensuring that “Make in India” devices meet the most rigorous safety and efficacy benchmarks.
Hospitals that adopt indigenous technology are not compromising on quality; rather, they are aligning with global best practices while simultaneously strengthening national resilience. In fact, many Indian devices are now being exported, proving that local innovation can meet and exceed international expectations.
Conclusion
For Indian hospitals, the transition to domestic procurement is a journey toward Atmanirbharta (self-reliance). By championing “Make in India,” healthcare providers can hedge against global volatility, ensure superior equipment uptime, and fulfill their core mission: providing affordable, high-quality care to every Indian.
The future of Indian healthcare is not just being practiced in our wards; it is being built in our factories. Hospitals that embrace this transformation will not only secure their own sustainability but also contribute to a healthier, more resilient nation.
